Barcode Labels

FAQ Guide

Each time we purchase something, we tend to encounter barcodes, yet they pass us by the majority of the time. However, barcodes serve a significant function in making our economy operate efficiently and effectively, not only for small companies but also for giant multinational corporations.

1. What are barcode labels?

Barcode labels are formal symbols that carry information in machine-readable form. Barcode labels are greatly used for identification, tracing, and stock control in applications and industries. Label creation is the process of designing and printing labels with barcodes and supporting information. Properly designed label can enhance the speed, accuracy, and security of barcode reading and data processing operations.

2. What are barcode labels used for?

Functioning of barcode labels is based on the symbology of the barcode itself and a reader capable of reading the symbols and interpreting them into valuable information, typically regarding the source of a product, cost, classification, and location.

When a bar code is scanned, the scanner feeds the data contained within it into an information system, usually a database of some sort. Barcode technology has given companies numerous advantages, such as the development of global distribution systems that operate smoothly and enable big companies like Walmart to maintain uniform product stock and price across the world.

Besides, it has emerged as a critical tool to enhance asset tracking and operating efficiencies for government agencies, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as healthcare centers. Businesses leverage barcodes in various ways, including:

1) Monitoring Inventory

A fundamental inventory management system comprises software and a barcode scanner or mobile device. All the items of inventory, whether they are products in stock for selling, supplies, or raw materials, are marked with barcode labels. When a product is taken out of stock, a scan of the barcode merely decreases the count in the inventory tracking software, eliminating the need for typing an SKU by hand and the error possibility that is extremely common for grocery stores.

2) Tracking Assets

Every business, big or small, possesses IT assets and fixed assets. Barcoded asset tags are placed on all assets so that they can be easily checked in and checked out with asset tracking software. This method enhances accountability and simplifies audits.

3) Utilizing Barcodes for Return Mail

By incorporating a barcode on the return-mail registration postcard that corresponds to the product’s serial number, you can instantly track registered serial numbers. This eliminates the need for customers to locate and transcribe lengthy serial numbers.

4) Integrating Barcodes in Mail Merges

For company events, consider adding barcodes to RSVP cards to track responses accurately, without the challenge of deciphering handwritten responses.

5) Incorporating Barcodes in Invoices

Include a barcode showing the customer number or single invoice number on invoices. When they pay, the barcode is easily scanned to identify the customer account or invoice number, so incorrect issues such as crediting payment to an incorrect account or bill do not occur.

3. Types of barcode labels

The two broad types of barcode labels include linear, or 1D, and 2D. The most standard is the UPC (Universal Product Code), and it is one type of a linear barcode having two components: the barcode and a 12-digit UPC code. The manufacturer’s code number is the initial six numbers in the bar code and then five as the item number. The check digit, or the last digit, assists the scanner in checking whether the bar code read is valid.

Linear barcodes are generally capable of supporting encoding alphanumeric characters, thereby allowing presentation of varied textual information except for some special characters depending on the nature of the barcode. In contrast to that, 2D barcodes are more complex and can hold other information in the code, i.e., price, quantity, web addresses, or even images. Unlike linear barcode scanning, 2D barcodes require image readers to extract data hidden in it. Devices like camera phones, including Android and iPhone phones, are capable of reading 2D barcodes through their camera functions.

Having 2D barcodes greatly increased the number of barcode applications. Being able to carry additional information and easy to read for consumers with their mobile phones, 2D barcodes have more than tracking asset and inventory functions. In the contemporary world, 2D codes, or more precisely QR codes, contain up to 7,000 digits or 4,000 characters of text, enabling companies to share information, websites, and videos with customers, aid healthcare centers in drug tracking, and combine data with applications like MS Office, MS SQL Servers, and other databases and files. Explore a free QR code generator to create customized QR codes for your company.

4. What are the determinants of barcode label design?

When crafting barcode labels, several key factors come into play to ensure optimal design and functionality:

1) Barcode type

The type of barcode chosen, linear, matrix, stacked, or composite, affects the design based on information capacity, label size, scanning environment, equipment compatibility, and industry standards.

2) Barcode size

Barcode dimensions directly influence readability and print quality. Finding the right size is crucial to ensure accurate scanning, considering the barcode type, printer resolution, scanner distance, and label proportions.

3) Barcode placement

Placing the barcode on the label should be strategic to ensure visibility and accessibility. It has to be placed away from edges, corners, or folds that could interfere with scanning, and in an accessible position based on label type, type of scan, and application environment.

4) Barcode color

The contrast between the barcode and background color significantly impacts readability. Optimal color choices enhance scanning accuracy, with high contrast or complementary colors improving performance based on barcode type, printer and scanner settings, and lighting conditions.

5) Barcode quality

Barcode quality, such as clarity, consistency, and conformity to standards, is required for dependable scanning and correct information. Having high quality through tools for verification, software testing, and visual inspection ensures the best performance of barcodes.

By the careful deployment of these considerations in barcode label design, organizations can not only create labels that are standards compliant but also maximize barcode performance and user-friendliness across various applications.

5. Things to consider when choosing barcode labels.

There are things you need to consider when choosing barcode labels:

1) Environmental Resistance

High-quality barcode labels are made to resist prolonged exposure to UV, chemicals, abrasion, high/low temperatures, cyclic freeze/thaw, humidity, salt spray, and other environmental stresses.

2) Surface

Optimal adhesion is achieved on neat and smooth surfaces, rough surfaces being more difficult and potentially requiring the use of rivets or screws to fasten barcode labels. The surface material should also be taken into account as metal and plastic surfaces possess varying adhesion properties.

3) Size

X-dimension and barcode label size are very critical factors in maintaining barcode accuracy and machine readability. The X-dimension of a linear 1D barcode like Code 39 or Code 128 is the width of the thinnest bar in the symbol.The X-dimension within 2D symbols like Data Matrix or QR Code is the dimensions of one cell, both height and width. Our team at Express offers standard X dimensions and expert guidance on selecting the appropriate label size to uphold barcode quality and reliability.

6. How do barcode labels help businesses?

Barcode labels are an integral part of helping businesses become cost-effective and profitable. While barcodes themselves are needed, it is the procedures that they facilitate that in turn make businesses more efficient and less expensive.

Consider the Arizona Cardinals scoreboard team, who used an asset tracking system utilizing barcode technology to follow all parts necessary to have a hassle-free game day. The initiative created a whopping saving of over 500 hours annually, showing a significant increase in efficiency.

Whether you operate a small business or find it difficult to find large equipment like projectors, barcode labeling and asset tracking can automate processes and result in tremendous cost and time savings for your company.

7. Conclusion

Proper barcode label design is a meticulous task with diligent attention to detail and strict adherence to industry best practices in label design, printing, and data encoding. Through the capabilities of barcode label printers and by adhering to the professional guidelines presented in this comprehensive guide, businesses can create state-of-the-line barcode labels that increase efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in inventory tracking and management processes.

From producing store product labels, shipping package barcodes, to tracking assets, the implementation of these practices will make barcode labels a consistent set of tools to automate business and drive success.